Maintenance/Troubleshooting FAQ
Airflow problems
- Why isn’t there air coming out of the nozzle?
- Why isn’t there abrasive coming out of the nozzle?
Oil Contamination
- How do I know if oil is contaminating my MicroBlaster®?
- What will oil contamination cause?
- How can I avoid oil contamination?
Moisture Contamination
- What is the proper use and storage of powder to keep it dry?
- How do I know when it's time to change the desiccant in my AD5100 desiccant air dryer?
Material Data Safety Sheets
- Where can I find Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
Reordering parts
- What’s in the different Maintenance Kits?
- What are the different parts of the handpiece assembly?
- What is the tank retrofit kit?
1. Why isn’t there air coming out of the nozzle?
Use the following chart to determine the problem:
Items to check |
Solution |
Is the electrical power ON? (Power light is illuminated? |
Verify that the POWER switch is ON. Examine the power cord. Is it connected? Is it damaged? Examine the fuse. Replace if necessary. The Power Switch may be defective |
Is the fuse good? |
Examine the fuse. Replace if necessary. |
Does the gage indicate pressure in the system? |
Verify that the shop air pressure of 80-140 psi is supplied to the Blaster. Turn air pressure (cutting speed) regulator knob clockwise. Air valve may be defective. |
Is the nozzle plugged? |
Remove the nozzle and depress the footswitch. If blast of air occurs, the nozzle is plugged. Tap it on the workbench, back end down. Discard the nozzle if it remains plugged.
If plugging reoccurs either too much powder is being released by the tank or the nozzle size is too small for the powder size being used. |
Is the abrasive hose pinch valve (on the rear panel) opening? |
The abrasive hose should slide freely through the hose pinch when the footswitch is actuated, and the modulator should begin to hum. If the pinch does not open, and you can hear the modulator activate, the pinch assembly is not functioning properly. If you do not hear the modulator, the footswitch may be defective. |
2. Why isn’t there abrasive coming out of the nozzle?
Use the following chart to determine the problem:
Items to Check |
Solution |
Is any abrasive flowing? |
Verify the quality of abrasive flow by holding a piece of glass or shiny metal in front of the nozzle and depress the footswitch. If there is no abrasive in the air stream, and you are sure the tank is full, you probably have a clogged tank orifice. Follow the instructions in the next step.
If there is abrasive in the air stream, but the flow is erratic, skip the next step and proceed with the checklist. |
Is the tank orifice clogged? |
Have you recently started using a different abrasive powder? The powder may be too large for the tank orifice. Use a larger orifice, or a smaller powder. If the tank orifice is properly sized for the powder, the clogging may be due to some foreign particles in the powder. Remove the powder in the tank (following normal procedures). Remove the orifice and hold it up to the light. If blocked, clean with high-pressure air or a small wire. If clogging continues, proceed to the next step. |
Is moisture contaminating the powder? |
Carefully remove the tank cover without disturbing the powder in the tank. Note if there are obvious holes or cracks in the powder, leading down to the orifice. This is caused by damp powder or moisture in the air supply. Check the air supply and the powder storage conditions. Service the air dryer or install one. |
Is the tank orifice plugged? |
Remove the powder in the tank following normal procedures. Remove the orifice and hold it up to the light. If blocked, clean with pressurized air or a small wire. |
Is the tank orifice too small for the powder? |
Small orifices should not be used with some abrasives. |
Is the Modulator functioning? |
Does it hum audibly when the footswitch is actuated? If not, or if it rattles noisily, the modulator should be checked. See Tech Bulletin: Modulator Maintenance. |
3. How do I know if oil is contaminating my MicroBlaster®?
If you suspect that your MicroBlaster® is contaminated with oil, there are a few signs you can look for to confirm this. The air lines that run clean air through the MicroBlaster® are a milky white color when new. Exposure to oil will cause these to turn an orange or yellow color.
Oil has a tendency to pool in the regulator assembly of the MicroBlaster®. This is a more difficult area to access, but by unscrewing the black plastic bonnet you will see traces of oil inside the regulator.
When oil contamination becomes severe, abrasive media will adhere to the filter element. If the assembly is opened to expose the filter element, large clumps of abrasive indicating oil contamination can be found.
Also see the following Tech Bulletin:
4. What will oil contamination cause?
Initial contamination by oil in your MicroBlaster® will cause irregularities in the abrasive flow. Often it will result in clumps being formed above the orifice in the abrasive tank or in the nozzle limiting the amount of abrasive that can pass through.
The major impact of oil contamination is check valve failure. Oil contamination will prevent the check valve from sealing properly allowing abrasive to pass back through the system. The aggressive nature of the abrasive will quickly erode the O-rings and seals on these components resulting in costly maintenance repairs.
Also see the following Tech Bulletin:
5. How can I avoid oil contamination?
The compressed air line running to the MicroBlaster® should pas through an oil filter and air dryer just before it reaches the unit. This will allow for maximum protection from the harmful effects.
Also see the following Tech Bulletin:
6. How do I prevent moisture contamination in the powder?
- Store powder properly – always make sure bottles are tightly closed when not in use. Keep in a cool dry location with minimum temperature fluctuations.
- Do not leave powder in your tank for extended periods of time.
- Keep your air supply dry (see Air Dryers section)
Also see the PDF Tech Bulletin:
7. How do I know when it's time to change the desiccant in my AD5100 desiccant air dryer?
Desiccant bead turns from dark blue to light blue and pink as it becomes saturated. Never allow the desiccant to change entirely to pink or purple. The life of the desiccant charge depends on the moisture and/or oil in the air, how much air is flowing through it and how often the system is used. In damp environments weekly replacement can be necessary.
New desiccant |
Moist desiccant - replace |
Also see the following Tech Bulletin:
9. What’s in the different Maintenance Kits?
MB1440 MicroBlaster® Tune-Up Kit includes:
- 5 ST4020 1/4" ferrules
- 2 MB1455 hose connectors with Quicknut
- 2 ST4019 brass nuts with sleeve
- 25 feet of MB1233 1/4" abrasive hose
- 3 feet ST4012 1/4" nylon tube
- 1 MB1230-1 nozzle nose
- 1 MB1301-2 modulator housing assembly
- 1 ST5022 O-ring
- 1 ST5624 O-ring
- Instructions and Comco MicroBlaster® Troubleshooting Guide
Note: If you have an older tank cover assembly (MB1068), you also need to purchase the MB1450 MicroBlaster(r) O-ring kit.
Note: Dual tank MicroBlasters(r) require two tune-up kits.
The MB1274-3 MicroBlaster® Replacement Parts Kit includes:
- 1 MB1230-1 nozzle nose
- 1 MB1455 hose connector with Quicknut
- 2 ST4019 brass nuts with sleeve
- 25 feet of MB1233 1/4" abrasive hose
The M1450 MicroBlaster® Tank Cover O-ring Kit includes:
- 2 ST5022 O-rings
- 2 ST5023 O-rings
- ¼ oz. Tube of adhesive
- Thread gauge
- O-ring replacement instructions
Note: For use on older MicroBlaster(r) models equipped with the MB1068 tank cover assembly.
The PF2139 DirectFlo/PowerFlo O-ring Kit includes:
- 2 ST5496 O-rings
- 1 ST5023 O-ring
- 1 ST5495 O-ring
- 1 ST5504 O-ring
- Instructions
The PF2190 DirectFlo/PowerFlo Maintenance Kit includes:
- 1 MB1455 hose connector with Quicknut
- 1 PF2040 modulator housing assembly
- 1 PF2090 nozzle nose
- 1 PF2177 union
- 1 PF2179 connector
- 1 ST4014 union bulkhead
- 1 ST4015 brass tee
- 1 ST4161 elbow
- 1 each of ST5023 ST5495 ST5496 andST5504 O-rings
- 6 feet of MB1233 1/4" abrasive hose
- 8 feet of PF2083 3/8" abrasive tube
- Modulator replacement instructions and detailed tune-up kit instructions
The PF2489 DirectFlo/PowerFlo Maintenance Kit for DF1400/PF2400 models includes:
- 1 MB1455 Connector with Quicknut
- 1 PF2040 modulator housing assembly
- 1 MB1483 QuickNut
- 1 PF2189-2 PowederGate valve seat assembly
- 1 MB1653 PowderGate nose
- 1 ST4014 1/4" T bulkhead union with MB1453 Quicknuts installed
- 1 ST4184 3/8" x 1/4" NPT male connector
- 1 PF2139 O-ring replacement kit
- 3 ST4209 3/8" Tubing ferrule set
- 6 feet - MB1233 1/4" Abrasive hose
- 8 feet - PF2083 3/8" Abrasive hose
- 1 TS309 DF/PF tune up kit instructions
10. What are the different parts of the handpiece assembly?
11. What is the Tank Retrofit Kit?
This kit is required for the replacement of tank covers on older MicroBlaster® models. If your MicroBlaster® was purchased before 2003, (i.e. Serial numbers up to 12112) you will need to purchase a Tank Retro Fit Kit when you replace your tank cover. The newer tank covers are designed for longer life and easier maintenance.
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